Ormat Commissions 15MW Geothermal Plant in Nevada

Feb 08 , 2011 - BrighterEnergy.org

Geothermal power company Ormat Technologies said
yesterday it has commissioned a 15MW facility in
the north of its home state of Nevada.
The Reno-based firm said the Jersey Valley Plant
was the only utility-scale geothermal power plant
brought online in the US during 2010.

The facility is currently in commissioning, operating
at partial load with final completion expected in
the second quarter.

“We are proud with the accomplishments of
this project,” said Yoram Bronicki, President
and Chief Operating Officer of Ormat. “We were
able to implement innovative power plant solutions
and complete the construction a short time after
all permits were granted.”

Located at the northern end of Dixie Valley, Jersey
Valley rests along the Pershing-Lander County, Nevada
line. Ormat’s power solutions are utilized
in the plant design; this includes the Ormat Energy
Converter (“OEC”), a power generation
unit that converts low, medium and high temperature
heat into electrical energy.

The electricity being produced is sold to NV Energy
under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Ormat’s financial position and financing capabilities
enabled it to build this project with equity and
corporate debt and plan to refinance it upon completion
with DOE guarantee funds. This funding strategy shortened
the development time and provided flexibility during
construction, the company said.

“Advanced techniques and plentiful amounts
of data, combined with a motivated team of skilled
individuals and proven equipment brought this project
to fruition,” Mr Bronicki said.

“In addition to providing a new source of
renewable energy, the completion of the Jersey Valley
project contributes to the success of the geothermal
industry as a whole and will provide essential insights
for future exploration and development efforts.”